Two point charges +3 C and +6 C separated by a distance 'r' , repel each other with a force of 27 N. If each of the above charges is given an additional charge of -5 C, the force experienced by them is

Step-by-step solution

Initial charges are q₁ = +3 C and q₂ = +6 C . Initial force F₁ = k q₁ q₂ r^2 = k (3)(6) r^2 = 18k r^2 = 27 N . This gives k r^2 = 27 18 = 1.5 N . When an additional charge of -5 C is given to each, the new charges become: q₁' = +3 - 5 = -2 C q₂' = +6 - 5 = +1 C The new force F₂ = k |q₁'| |q₂'| r^2 = k (2)(1) r^2 = 2k r^2 . Substituting the value of k r^2 , we get: F₂ = 2 1.5 = 3 N . Since the new charges have opposite signs, the force between them is attractive. Answer: 3 N (attractive)